Africa-Press – Liberia. ArcelorMittal Executive Chairman Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal has reaffirmed his company’s commitment to complete the long-awaited asphalt pavement of the Ganta Yekepa highway, a crucial development corridor in northern Liberia.
Mr. Mittal made the announcement during the official dedication of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s state-of-the-art iron ore concentrator at the Tokadeh Crusher site, where he joined His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to mark what has been described as a transformative milestone in the country’s mining sector.
Speaking at the dedication, Mr. Mittal emphasized the importance of community concerns and the company’s responsibility to respond meaningfully to the needs of host regions.
“President Boakai has always discussed with me about community,” Mr. Mittal said. “We take all concerns from the Government of Liberia very seriously, and we are committed to working closely with the government.”
He continued, “We are continuing to invest in community through schools, vocational training and completing the work on the Ganta Yekepa route.”
A Road Long Promised, Still Awaited
ArcelorMittal Liberia has been at the center of efforts to pave the approximately 70 kilometer Ganta Yekepa Road. In January 2013, the company signed an agreement with the Government of Liberia, pledging between US$37 million and US$40 million to finance the project. Though not a formal part of its Mineral Development Agreement, the road was negotiated as a community benefit under the second phase of the company’s expansion during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Construction was initially scheduled to begin in late 2013 with completion anticipated by 2015 or 2016. However, the project faced considerable setbacks, including the outbreak of the Ebola virus and a global collapse in iron ore prices, which forced delays.
In 2018, ArcelorMittal reaffirmed its full commitment to the project, maintaining its funding pledge and targeting phased completion over subsequent dry seasons. By June 2023, the paved road had reached Sanniquellie, delivering visible improvements in travel time, road safety, market access, and the overall ease of movement in Nimba County.
A Lifeline for Nimba Communities
Mr. Mittal’s renewed promise brings hope to thousands of residents along the unfinished stretch toward Yekepa, where the road remains largely unpaved and treacherous, especially during the rainy season.
For communities in northern Nimba, a completed Ganta Yekepa Road will mean far more than improved transport. It will enable mothers to access healthcare more easily, ensure students can attend school year round, and allow farmers and small businesses to transport goods to market without delay or damage. The road is a critical artery for local economic growth and social inclusion.
A Message of Trust and Accountability
Beyond the physical infrastructure, Mr. Mittal’s remarks were widely seen as a statement of accountability to the people of Nimba County. For nearly two decades, the county has hosted one of Liberia’s largest and most strategic mining operations. Yet, residents have often expressed frustration over unmet development expectations.
This latest assurance, delivered publicly and directly by ArcelorMittal’s top executive, is being welcomed as a step toward restoring public trust. It demonstrates that major companies can keep their promises and contribute meaningfully to national and community development.
A Path Forward
Once completed, the Ganta Yekepa Road will stand not only as a symbol of ArcelorMittal’s corporate responsibility but also as a model of partnership between government and private investment.
In a country where many remote communities feel excluded from national development gains, the road project represents fairness, dignity, and opportunity. Mr. Mittal’s pledge, if fulfilled, could turn a long-standing source of frustration into a legacy of tangible progress, showing that responsible investment can uplift lives and connect people to the promise of a better future.
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